The Dent County Commissioners met Monday morning at the Dent County Courthouse. Dent County Treasurer Denita Williams presented the sales tax monies received in May. The General Revenue Fund and Law Enforcement Sales Tax Fund each received $88,525.67 which is $315.04 less than for May of 2024. Those funds year-to-date are both down $1,039.31 from last year. The Road and Bridge Fund received $44,262.67 in May and that is up $2,350.04 over May of 2024; and year-to-date, the Road and Bridge Fund is up $14,506.35. The Dent County Jail Operating and Trust funds each received $88,940.92 in May and that is up $4,693.49 over May of 2024. Year-to-date, the jail funds are both up $29,090.16. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Keith Green said the crews will be doing maintenance on the Mannis brush cutter again, and a man will be going to Springfield to get oil for chip and seal repair on the Schwartz Road. Green said the side of Dent County Road 5615 collapsed into a creek after the tree stabilizing that part of the road fell across the creek. He said crews will work on repairing that road. He also said crews will be checking county roads 4120 and 5630 for damages to crossover pipes where those culverts may need to be replaced. Green reported that Tri-State is bringing a truck to the county road shed for the county to check out. District 2 Commissioner Jimmy Williams said crews will be adding and spreading rock on county road 5260, while rock will be added to county road 3210 where a driveway pipe will be installed. Williams also said rock would be added to county road 3290 where a crew will be rebuilding the edge of the roadway. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson said the county received a contract from Kone Elevator Company for maintenance at the Dent County Jail elevator and he said he would reach out to Sheriff Wells for his input. He also said he would be attending a Solid Waste Management Board meeting. Dent County Collector Shannon VanKirk said the monthly turnover for April was $142,432.26 which will be sent out to the taxing entities. She also said the county reclaimed $1,841.93 in taxes that were paid in protest. VanKirk had to wait until the end of April to see if further action had been taken and none had, so the monies and interest from the protest will also be turned over to the taxing entities this month. She wanted to remind those who have not yet paid their real estate taxes from 2022 that those taxes must be paid by June 30th or that parcel will be sold on the courthouse steps. VanKirk did report that over 200 of the SB190 Homestead Tax applications have been picked up and so far, she says that almost all of them qualify. Legends Advisors came in to talk with the commission about providing additional employee benefits that would actually save the county money on payroll taxes. The commission agreed to provide them with county payroll information to see if there are tax savings available to the county as they discussed. They will return in June with their findings. At the last meeting, Matt Lloyd with Fabick Caterpillar came in to discuss graders, trade-ins and warranties. Road supervisor Billy Shepherd was also in attendance at that meeting. The next meeting of the Dent County Commission will be Thursday morning at the courthouse at 9:00 and the meeting is open to the public.

The Salem R-80 Board of Education will be meeting Thursday at 5:30 in the R-80 Board Room. After the Call to Order and the Pledge of Allegiance the Board will approve the agenda and the consent agenda. The Board will then recognize the Salem High School Art Department and students. In the Superintendent’s Report CSIP Goals will be addressed, updates will be shared on the FEMA building, the budget, the roof repairs, and Long Range Facilities. Administration reports will be heard from William Lynch, Upper Elementary, Middle School, High School, Athletics and Activities, Special Education, Technology, and Maintenance. In new business the board will consider a number of approvals including the Turf Tank Contract, a private contract for a Vision, Orientation and Mobility Teacher, National FFA Trip next year, MSBA Policy updates, Middle School Athletic Cooperative, Chamber Singers attendance at Nationals in April of 2028, request for FFA to attend the National Convention in Indianapolis October 28th through November 1st, a bus purchase for $97,330, June Board meeting date change from the 19th to the 26th, and E-rate contract. The Board will authorize the solicitation of buds for Upper Elementary roof damage repair. The Board will address resignations, hires and transfers before adjourning and moving into Executive Session to consider personnel and student issues.